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Studies: Chemical in some Chinese cuisine can lower cholesterol

March 25, 1999 - From Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen, CNN Website (CNN.com)
ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- A type of fermented rice found in Chinese cuisine and sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement can lower cholesterol levels, according to two studies being presented Thursday at a health conference in Orlando, Florida.
The studies of the supplement, a Red Yeast Rice product, are being presented at the American Heart Association's annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention. Both were funded by the supplement company that makes it.

AHA: Results 'preliminary'
The American Heart Association (AHA) called the study results "preliminary" and issued a statement urging caution because no long-term studies have yet been done on red yeast rice's safety and efficacy.
In one study, cholesterol levels in 233 elderly Americans dropped by approximately 16 percent after taking red yeast rice supplements for eight weeks, according to the study authors.
Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), or "good" cholesterol, increased by 15 percent. Levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, decreased by 21 percent.
Before treatment, the study subjects had mild to moderately high cholesterol; their average cholesterol level was 242 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood).
According to the AHA a person's total blood cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL. Anything over 240 mg/dL is considered a high blood cholesterol level.
The study was conducted by 12 doctors in different cities. One of the 12 was at a university, the others were not affiliated with a university.

Second study conducted in China
In the second study, conducted in China, cholesterol levels of 70 elderly people with high cholesterol levels dropped by approximately 19 percent when they took red yeast rice products.
But according to Dr. Robert H. Eckel, chairman of the AHA's Nutrition Committee and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, cholesterol-lowering drugs currently on the market can decrease cholesterol levels by 25-55 percent. He added that these drugs are "well-tolerated, safe, and we've had experience with them for well over a decade."
Eckel said he would not treat a patient with red yeast rice "until we have a better idea how to dose it and its safety."

What is Red Yeast Rice?
MOnascus purpureus Went is a supplement made from rice fermented in red yeast. Chinese cooks add red yeast rice to some dishes, such as Peking Duck and spareribs, to achieve a red color.
According to the product manufacturer, the rice has several natural properties that help lower cholesterol, including chemicals statins.
The supplements have a higher concentration of red yeast rice than one would find in foods, according to Dr. James Rippe, one of the co-authors of the U.S. red yeast rice study.
Rippe said it's difficult to quantify exactly how much more concentrated the supplement is compared to foods, but he said the supplements are "consistent with" supplements that have been used by in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years.
In the studies, red yeast rice had no side effects, except for a few cases of flatulence.
Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the imports of red yeast rice from China, saying it was a drug and not a supplement. But in a court ruling last month, a federal judge in Salt Lake City, Utah, reversed the decision, and now red yeast rice is being marketed in the United States.

Product availability
Currently, the only quality red yeast rice product is available through numerous direct sales avenues. Retail price about 1.33 per day.
For more information on red yeast rice or for ordering red yeast rice, please e-mail me at Aquadoc@pol.net.
For information on how you can obtain products at a discount, please e-mail me at Aquadoc@pol.net. Find out what is the Number One recommended Red Yeast Rice Product.

C H O L E S T E R O L

What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids in your bloodstream, and in every cell of your body. Your body produces it and also ingests dietary cholesterol from your food. Cholesterol is used to help form cell membranes, protect the nervous system and produce some hormones and Vitamin D.
Where does cholesterol come from?
Cholesterol is found in meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products; no plant products contain cholesterol. Consuming saturated fats may also be a major factor in raising your blood cholesterol. Because your body also produces cholesterol on its own, you could theoretically cut cholesterol out of your diet completely and your body would never miss it. However, it's difficult to do so while still getting the amount of protein and other nutrients you need to live a healthy life.
How much is too much?
The American Heart association recommends that you limit your average daily cholesterol intake to 300 milligrams or less.
What's the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol?
HDL and LDL are often referred to as types of cholesterol, but to be strictly accurate, they are not. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by lipoproteins; LDLs, or low density lipoproteins, carry most of the cholesterol in the blood.
HDLs, or high-density lipoproteins, carry only one-third to one-fourth of the cholesterol in the blood, but HDL is known as the "good" cholesterol anyway, because it appears to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and into the liver, which then flushes it out of your system. A high level of HDL indicates a lower risk of heart disease, while a high level of LDL indicates a higher risk of heart disease.
What is "blood cholesterol level"?
A "blood cholesterol level" measurement quantifies the amount of cholesterol in your blood in milligrams per deciliter of blood. This is the most common measure of blood cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association your total blood cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL. Anything over 240 mg/dL is considered a high blood cholesterol level.
What happens if your blood cholesterol level is too high?
If your blood cholesterol level is over 200, you are at an increased risk for coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis (also known as hardening of the arteries), a disease in which cholesterol combines with other substances to coat arteries, eventually blocking the flow of blood through that artery, and cutting off the blood supply to the heart.
How can you lower your blood cholesterol levels?
Most people can lower their blood cholesterol levels by eating foods that are lower in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. For some people, even a restricted diet is not enough to put blood cholesterol levels in the safety zone; if this has been the case for you, your physician may prescribe medications to help lower your LDL cholesterol levels.

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The statements on these web pages have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products listed on these pages are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As always, before utilizing any Alternative or Complementary Medicine therapies, individuals should be evaluated by a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) to obtain a proper diagnosis. Alternative or Complementary Medicine is meant to complement traditional therapy. Individual treatment should be a balance of alternative and traditional, integrating the two together, to provide the best possible care. When choosing a health care practitioner, check to make sure they are licensed to practice (whenever possible). Retail costs listed on this page are for comparison purposes only. Discounted prices available on most products. The information presented on these pages is based on scientifically based research and current medical knowledge. Many of the supplements mentioned on these pages have been used to treat diseases for hundreds or thousands of years. The medical community is just beginning to research natural treatments. As new information develops, the information on these pages will be updated. Whenever possible, several sources for each supplement will be listed. The manufacturers mentioned within, have presented evidence that they have independent studies demonstrating standardization of potency, purity, and activity for that product. Due to a request from one of the companies previously listed on this page, endorsements for their products and discount purchasing will only be available thought direct contact. For Information, Send Me Mail

Where To Find Products Named Above
Many of the supplements listed above can be found in a variety of places. Health food stores, like HiHealth, carry many different brands of supplements. I feel that we need to watch for unwanted additives. I also like to ensure that the company making the products substantiate their claims, have excellent safety records, and guarantee standardization of their products, so that every capsule, every bottle, delivers what it says it will, every time.
My recommendations can be found on the linked pages. The vitamins and supplements produced by Twin Labs can be purchased through local health food stores or on-line through Vitamins Network Superstore, PlanetRx, or MotherNature.com's Home Page.
My personal choices can be obtained via e-mail at Aquadoc@pol.net.
For information on how you can obtain the products at a discount, please e-mail me at Aquadoc@pol.net.

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